Japan's largest business daily Nikkei said that the Nexus 7 is taking over mainly because of price

Apple's iPad is notorious for being king of the tablets, but in Japan, this may no longer be the case.

Market research firm BCN conducted a survey in Japan last December to see what the tablet market share was looking like. Out of 2,400 consumer electronics stores in Japan, the iPad had 40.1 percent of the market while Google's Nexus 7 claimed 44.4 percent.

Japan's largest business daily Nikkei said that the Nexus 7 is taking over mainly because of price. The Nexus 7 costs $199 USD while the cheapest iPad -- the iPad mini -- is $329 USD. Both the Nexus 7 and iPad mini are 7-inch tablets.

However, the report did note that some stores in Japan have run out of the iPad mini, which may have affected the results a bit.

Google's Nexus 7 is a tablet made by ASUS. It runs the latest version of the Android operating system, 4.1 Jelly Bean, and packs various features like a 7-inch IPS display with a 1280x800 resolution, a quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor, a 1.2 MP front-facing camera, NFC, Bluetooth, 802.11n wireless, GPS and 16GB/32GB versions. The 16GB version starts at $199 while the 32GB runs $249.99.

quote: But it is naive to think that Apple could continue to dominate the growing market for smartphones. The company has seen its market share in the smartphone space fall from 23% at the start of last year to 14.6% by the third quarter. Apple's stock took a major dive this week, falling at one point to an 11-month low, on reports that orders for its iPhone 5 display had been cut in half from previously planned levels, noting that sales have not been up to snuff. The reports came out of Asia where Apple's iPhone is assembled. (Apple did not respond to request for comment for this story.)

For all Tony's blathering, the market is beginning to notice that Apple has run out of markets to conquer. There will, of course, be a cheaper iPhone and a cheaper iPad mini option over time. This is how companies diversify their exposure to market risk - unfortunately, Apple has been terrible at it. They focus on high-margin expensive products - cheaper options will hit at their stylish reputation and, worse, cannibalize their high end products.

What you have to realise is that Apple will continue to dominate no matter what.Their stuff is desirable and peeps get excited about what they release, they have a cult following because they choose to think different.

Android users can wish upon a star for Apple to fail but it's not happening, they make nice profit on their items sold and they are happy with the money they have which is a huge bank balance.I notice all Android users can do is drone on about specs most of the time which means you just don't understand why Apple is always in the limelight and highly regarded. so i'll give you MY personal opinion on why i own apple products.

The User experience far exceeds anything else out there. Stuff just works and it works really well. Apple have closed their system up in response to seeing what happened to windows products with regards to being open and vulnerable. I personally love the way there ecosystem works across all devices and to use it is a joy.

Price does not come into it as much if you are getting quality and reliability.

The excitement around Apple Keynotes is testament to how peeps love the products and you look forward to Apple's next surprise gadget.I dont see any excitement for any other company's products like i do Apple.

It's time to stop always having a go at Apple and start enjoying your Android product if it's so good. Apple should not even be a concern to you if your android products fill your needs.You will notice that samsung ads are aimed at Apple put downs but Apple's ads are about their products.

Just enjoy what you have and stop trying to make it seem better by putting the other guy down. It's a pointless thing to do.

"What you have to realise is that Apple will continue to dominate no matter what.Their stuff is desirable and peeps get excited about what they release, they have a cult following because they choose to think different."

Thats an odd statment since its this articale that shows they are not dominate and continue to be less dominate.

They will , sooner or later, become what they have always been. A company that makes over priced products for users that are either clueless or think having an Apple product is cool. I go with clueless much like the rest of your silly post.

yeah it sounds like he's talking about Apple 2007-2011, not what's going on today. today apples competition has them out maneuvered with better products at less money. That is a combo you can't beat. And as far as the user experience again 2007 to 2011... they had the advantage but not anymore. They have been caught up with and surpassed and now they're eating dust. not to say that they will be financially hurting, but the growth period is over and so is the honeymoon. there going to have to go back to the drawing board and come out with some better products and start competing again, and stay out of the courtroom.

"Paying an extra $500 for a computer in this environment -- same piece of hardware -- paying $500 more to get a logo on it? I think that's a more challenging proposition for the average person than it used to be." -- Steve Ballmer